Storm impacts being assessed statewide

There have been significant changes to beach profiles, including scarping of sand dunes at various locations along the metro coast. However, the beaches have held up relatively well.

Priority work to address damage at Semaphore Park will commence on Monday which will involve moving seagrass wrack from the accumulation at Glenelg and placing it between Third Avenue and Mirani Court. The seagrass wrack will then be covered with sand from the Semaphore breakwater. We anticipate similar work will be required at other locations along the metro coastline as assessments become available.

Sand delivery to West Beach and Henley Beach was able to recommence on Tuesday, and sand collection work on Glenelg Beach resumed today.

The sand removed from the dry beach is not lost to the system. Much of the sand that has washed away remains in the nearshore and is expected to move back onshore in coming weeks and months. Some areas will require active intervention to replace sand.

Storms like we experienced on Monday have occurred before, and will happen again. Here are some historic images from a storm that also occurred in May, but in 1953. We also experienced a similar storm to this week’s back in 2016. These storms highlight why it’s important to maintain our beaches and replenish sand to protect vital infrastructure.

The State Government has made a commitment to restore West Beach within 5 years with 550,000m³ of external sand.

150,000 cubic metres of this external sand has already been delivered to West Beach, meaning a further 400,000 is still required.

The purpose of bringing in the sand is to provide shoreline protection so the more sand we can get in, the more the shoreline is protected in cases of extreme weather like we experienced this week.

If we don't bring this sand in, the beach can continue to erode away and infrastructure like footpaths, roads and even homes and businesses become at risk of getting damaged.